Manufactured by the Rochester Optical Company, New York in 1893. This was the original folding plate premo camera with a Gundlack Optical rapid rectilinear lens in a Bausch & Lomb setting and star shutter. All these companies were in Rochester, NY at that time. The original folding premo camera was introduced in 1893 and began a long running product line of Premo camera variations. This hand camera line continued well after the Kodak Company bought ROC in 1903.
Features included: Built-in Swing back and rising and falling front. The view finder is attached to the bed and is reversible for horizontal or vertical views. The ground glass has a spring mechanism which adjusts for plate insertion. Later models were interchangeable between plates and roll holders. The camera comes with a high quality star shutter, with both finger and pneumatic release, and rapid rectilinear lens. Sizes available included 3 1/4 x 4 1/4; 4 x 5; 5 x 7; and 6 1/2 by 8 1/2. Prices in 1895 ranged from $25 to $45.